WILMINGTON — Virginia “Ginny” Malles Strickland, age 82, of Wilmington, NC passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, NC.
She was born on December 15, 1941 in Columbia, PA to the late Ralph Raymond Malles and Marion Kratzer Malles.
Ginny attended Longwood University and later graduated from Old Dominion University. She began her career teaching elementary school in Virginia Beach, VA and continued teaching after moving to Wilmington, NC. As her family expanded, Ginny left her teaching career to dedicate her love and energy to her children, as well as helping with the family business, Strickland’s Furniture and later Strickland’s Window Coverings.
Ginny was very involved with her church, Olivet Baptist in Wilmington, for over 45 years. She sang in the choir, led multiple committees, and was always ready to plan a fellowship event. Ginny also volunteered with the Wilmington Baptist Association.
Ginny was an avid lover of wildlife, and a pet collector. She loved crafts, crossword puzzles and traveling with her husband, Jim, friends, and family. When asked she would proudly say her grandchildren were her hobby. Ginny was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who will be dearly missed.
Ginny is survived by her husband of 48 years, James Richard Strickland, Jr.; daughters, Erin Woodrow (Peter), Carrie Sullivan (Matt), and Katie Myers (Josh); son-in-law, Ethan Hall; grandchildren, Danielle Sullivan, Travis Sullivan (Raven), Lucy Woodrow, Tyler Lunsford, James Foster, Laynie Myers, Hayden Woodrow, Kamryn Myers, Kelsie Myers, Nathan Foster, Pepper Sullivan, and Eliza Sullivan; and great-grandchildren, Avalynn Sullivan and Revel Sullivan.
In addition to her parents, Ginny was preceded in death by her daughter, Amy Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ginny’s name may be made to either Olivet Baptist Church at 138 Glendale Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare at lifecare.org.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home in Wilmington. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Olivet Baptist Church in Wilmington with Pastor Billy Fowler and Pastor Kane McKenzie officiating.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
